Chasing Life (2014–2015): Season 2, Episode 11 - First Person - full transcript
April decides that she needs to dig deeper if readers are going to connect with her book.
Previously on Chasing Life.
And that camp for kids with
terminal illnesses is beautiful.
Did he tell you, it might become a chain?
- No!
- Well, that's a longer term plan.
- Where's the book, George?
- I got rid of it.
Thomas did want to end his
life, 'cause he was sick...
And he wanted all of you
to be taken care of...
And all he needed was my help.
You helped him kill himself?
George, what you did was basically murder.
April, Natalie's gone.
I can't believe a tree
came through this window...
And I didn't even catch it on camera.
Um, that's what you don't
believe from the other night?
Not Dad hiding a secret
disease for 14 months?
Not a secret from everyone. George knew.
You guys, Dad was really
good at keeping secrets.
We shouldn't be so surprised that
there's so many of them, okay?
Right. Well, I hope Natalie's
really good at keeping secrets, too.
Neither of you have heard from her?
No. She hasn't called
or texted me back, but...
I mean, come on, she's not gonna
like, go tell the cops or anything.
Well, she's been quiet
on the social media front.
Is a Natalie who hasn't instagrammed
in four days a Natalie we can trust?
Whatever.
I'm going to go video chat with
grandma, if her webcam is finally setup.
Hello! Hey!
I had to pick up pastries
for Jaclyn's morning meeting.
I'm giving the Carvers first dibs.
Also, it's a bribe. I need
to borrow your necklace...
You know, the one with the teardrop pearl.
We needed a couple c.c.'S of
sugar, and the necklace is yours.
Perfect. I would've borrowed
Natalie's ruby pendant,
but she took that with her
when she went gone baby gone.
You haven't heard anything
from her, have you?
No. But her note said that she
needed some distance from Boston.
You guys don't know what
got her so riled up, do you?
Hmm?
- No.
- No idea.
But you know Natalie.
Well, yeah, she's no
stranger to drama, but...
To skip town and right
before our rent is due...
I'm sure there's a good explanation.
Oh! Hey, your window's fixed.
Now I can go back to checking my reflection
while the rest of you are talking.
We should be happy our
house got off so easy.
Did you hear what happened to Dominic?
No. Is his house okay?
And upstairs, part of the
roof caved in under the weight.
I can't salvage any of it.
Oh, my God, Dom, I'm so sorry.
Are you gonna put the insurance
money back into the house?
I'm still figuring that out.
Well, I'm no contractor,
but I think it still shows promise.
And you know, I read somewhere
actually that walls are overrated.
I think that was Outside magazine.
Well, it's your call...
But this place obviously means
something to you and it just...
Doesn't seem right to give up on it.
- How are you doing?
- Hmm?
The last time I saw
you, you were a little...
Off.
Well, clearly...
Grief manifests itself
in unpredictable ways.
I think we've put studio-54
April to bed, so to speak.
Which April do we get next?
I think writer April.
I've written two more chapters
and a 22-page book proposal...
Single-spaced and...
Drum roll, please.
I've been sending it out to lit agents.
- I've already got one meeting.
- Nice.
I like writer April.
Can we keep her?
Only if someone helps her get published.
Dear literary agent...
A secret family, marriage...
Widowhood, a battle with cancer.
My story is one of...
Life-shaking events told
through a highly-personal lens.
Feel good hit of the year.
Oh, Ruthie, hi!
Come in. How are you?
Good.
Oh, um, yeah, I'm just
waving a syringe around.
Be careful with that stuff.
They'll take away your tour de France wins.
It's for a new clinical trial. Just...
Gotten way too comfortable
using it around the house.
It's totally fine.
I'm here about one of Leo's projects.
The camp he was building.
Is everything okay with it?
Yeah, it's totally fine, actually...
We're having a preview event
in a couple of days and...
We all thought if you want to
and there is no pressure, but...
Maybe you'd like to cut the ribbon
at the grand opening ceremony...
And say a little something about Leo?
- I'd love to.
- You would?
That's so great to hear.
It's bizarre.
Your life essentially stops,
but everyone else's keeps going.
Listen, I am thrilled I am in remission...
And I could not be more grateful,
but it also feels like...
My cancer tied a rope around my waist...
And can yank me back whenever it wants to.
I see a lot of people nodding.
I totally get it.
You never really feel in the clear.
As I got better, my mother got worse.
Non-Hodgkin's. I was told I was in
remission the day after her funeral.
So how does that loss affect
you in a day-to-day way?
Uh, well...
I started back up at work this week.
Super-cool graphic design firm. I love it.
But then someone will ask
how I'm doing and I wonder...
"How much truth do you really want?
"Do you want to hear about my dead mother
and my deep fears of getting sick again?"
Or do I just say, "it's all good, bro"?
I bet I can guess which
one has worked best.
Yeah, no kidding.
But it also feels gross,
you know? Dishonest.
People don't want to hear the truth
though, even if they say they do.
Well, April, exactly
what do you mean when you
say "people don't want to hear the truth"?
I don't know, I just...
I feel like sometimes
ignorance really can be bliss.
Wait, so you haven't read any of it?
I got caught up in family stuff.
What happened?
Um, just fill me in on the story.
Okay. Hamlet's uncle kills his
dad and gets with his mom...
So Hamlet whines for a little while.
It's basically the lion king without
Elton John and a happy ending.
Ow! That sounds totally insane.
I think that Hamlet should change his
name and get the hell out of Denmark.
Shakespeare provokes strong feelings.
Brenna...
I know that you definitely
want to buy a raffle ticket.
- $5.
- Thanks,
but raffle tickets aren't
on my vision board right now.
But don't you want to help Finn?
I'm raffling off my dad's
court-side Celtics tickets...
To get him one of those cool blades
like that inspirational runner.
I.e., the guy who murdered his girlfriend?
He was only convicted on the lesser charge.
So do you want to buy a ticket
to get Finn "back on track"?
I made that up.
Cute.
When were you gonna tell me?
Never, maybe?
I don't know. I don't love it.
Feels like Sydney's telling
everyone to take pity on me.
Wearing the mask again doesn't really help.
You know, she's only doing this
for her college applications.
Aw, I was your little pet project
and now you have to share me.
I ran with William today...
And the only thing I could think
to talk about was energy bars.
Well, I pumped Beth for clues about
Natalie and couldn't tell her why.
Did you get anything from her?
Oh, she got in touch with
Natalie's boss at the Charles...
And he said that she put her notice in
via email the morning after the blizzard.
Did he know where she was going?
No.
Hey, stop acting like
Natalie's trying to destroy us.
I mean, she's probably
just blowing off some steam.
And there's a lot of steam, I'm sure,
but if she talks to the wrong person...
She could do a lot of harm to this family.
And with April's trial going well...
There's still a part of me that
needs to know where her donor is.
Even if I get to that step,
there's still plenty of time.
And...
You know, it wasn't easy for
us to hear what happened...
And I'm sure it was
even harder for Natalie.
She was in Florida and had no
idea George did what he did.
It was a messed up situation
and George did the best he could.
I'm not sure it's that easy.
Well, if you have issues with him, fine.
Just don't let it interfere
with my summer plans.
Brenna, I can't let you stay with
George. I would assume you'd know that.
Of course.
Something goes wrong in the Carver
family, so let's make Brenna suffer.
Why break the pattern now?
I don't know what to do.
Honestly, I wish Brenna
had not heard any of this.
She'll talk when she's ready.
Or...
Maybe she won't talk
at all, like her father.
Dad knew what he was doing.
Sometimes when there's
real pain, it's just...
Better to keep people at a distance.
April, I hate that. I hate
hearing you accept what he did.
What other choice do I have?
When you were first diagnosed...
You kept it to yourself
for as long as you could.
And now you're closing yourself
off again. I saw it today.
We don't talk about therapy at home.
That was our agreement.
I can't let you deal with this fear alone.
Well, the fear is mine, Mom.
The pain is mine!
I'm trying to help you.
Well, I'm sorry, but you can't.
Oh, my God!
Hey!
Why does my best friend sound
like a Mariah Carey chorus?
Normally I find her quirks
adorable, but this one's testing me.
- I have this for you, too.
- Whoa. Okay, thank you. Hi.
"Though many pieces felt
like tired re-treads,
this chic piece of vintage throwback...
"Proves that Jaclyn is still not
only an artist, but an iconoclast."
But it's me! I'm an iconoclast!
A few weeks ago, Jaclyn
said I could put one
design in her show since
it had 42 outfits...
And no one would ever
notice, but they noticed!
They more than noticed, babe.
They highlighted. They singled out.
My God! I am so damn proud of you.
Oh, you just got an email from Jaclyn.
All it says is, "let's meet tomorrow
to discuss your future at the company."
Oh, God. What if she saw that article?
What if she's angry and jealous
and her blood sugar's low?
Or far more likely, she saw the
write-up and wants to promote you.
Yeah, Beth, I think you're about
to become a professional designer.
Take that, project
runway rejection letters.
Okay, look, just because she offers you
something doesn't mean you have to take it.
Your design got the rave
reviews. You have the leverage.
Right, she might just see you as an
assistant who's grateful for any offer.
Exactly. It couldn't hurt to make her
think that she's not your only option.
What do you mean, like, lie?
It's not lying. It's negotiating.
Speaking of, I've got to go convince a lit
agent to sign me, and
I'm going to use you...
As inspiration.
- Good luck, honey.
- Bye.
Negotiating's easy, babe.
It's like on that episode of Shark
tank that we watched last week.
Yeah, we made out during that.
Right.
Thomas Carver's daughter. This is exciting.
And you've inherited his talents.
I was really grabbed by your story.
And before we dig in, I want to hear
what your goals are for this book.
There are times during cancer and widowhood
where you just feel so lost and I...
I really just hope my book can help
people in similar circumstances...
Know they're not alone.
Exactly what I'd hope you'd say.
And for the millions that haven't
gone through what you have...
This could generate some real
understanding and empathy.
- Should we discuss my notes?
- Hmm?
I'd love to hear your... notes.
I'm worried about the second chapter.
The one about losing Leo.
I feel like your reporter voice is
over-shadowing your memoirist voice.
I think you can dig deeper,
and get more personal.
It is personal.
Not personal enough.
The reader needs to get under
your skin, inside of your head.
I want to understand your pain, guilt,
and anger in a first-person perspective.
Think Joan Didion, Mary
Karr, or Cheryl Strayed.
Whose office is this?
Well, Valerie lets me borrow her office...
Because, technically,
I'm still an assistant.
But the partners like me, and they said
that if I sign a client and prove myself...
I'll move right up the ranks.
So you're not an actual agent?
Any day now, and I really
would like to work with you.
I feel like we can learn
a lot from each other.
Well, I'm still meeting
with other people...
But this has been great,
and I'll be in touch.
Look forward to hearing from you.
It's only your first
meeting, you'll get others...
They'll be with real agents.
No one else has even gotten back to me yet.
It's 22 pages, single space.
Give people time to read it.
Not really big on patience these days.
But, I am big on gifts.
I saw this on my way over...
And it seemed like good incentive
not to give up on the house.
Wow! It's so official.
So adult.
Well, I figured since the
inside doesn't look great...
At least the outside could be super-classy.
- April.
- Danny.
- Nice knocker.
- Wow.
I needed someone to help me tear
down a moldy drywall at the house.
So he called in the big guns.
Hmm. Small-to-medium sized guns.
We were thinking about hitting up
trma night at the Charles tomorrow.
You should come... If
you're still allowed inside.
Actually, I'll be in the Berkshires.
I'm cutting the ribbon at Leo's camp.
That's opening already?
It's preview day.
Show prospective campers and
their parents what they're in for.
Hey, why don't I volunteer
write about it for The post?
It would be a story that
actually inspires people...
Unlike all the other
assignments I've gotten lately.
You're sick of writing concert reviews?
Raquel keeps making me check
out bands with tumblr appeal.
They're all starting to blend together.
I mean, the more we can get word
out about the camp, the better.
- Guess it makes sense to carpool?
- Yeah.
Pick you up around 8:00 A.M.?
I'll see you then.
Later, Gupta.
So you're gonna ditch
trivia night for a fun,
innocent day trip with
your ex-girlfriend...
to her dead husband's camp for sick kids.
That should be a totally normal experience.
Leo was very insistent there
be a zip line. So we have three.
The man liked his heights and speeds.
Per his instructions, we also recreated
the aggro crag on the east side of camp...
Although we had to disable
the glitter explosions.
Environmental harm?
You're still good to say something?
It doesn't have to be anything long...
Just something from the heart about Leo.
Of course, no problem.
Hey, if you're not ready
to speak, you don't have to.
- Everyone would understand.
- It's no big deal.
Everyone, please welcome April Carver.
Thank you all for coming here today.
Leo wanted this camp to
be something special...
And I think, if you look around
you'll see his wish came true.
He believed in adventure, and I
hope you all have a lot of them here.
If you only know one
thing about Leo, it's...
It's...
I just want people to know that Leo...
Was a really good guy.
Thanks.
Camp's open!
Miss Carver, do you have an
official statement on the mess hall?
I thought the neutropenic
sundae bar was a nice touch.
How are you doing?
Being here in the land that Leo built?
I can't believe I just said
he was a "really good guy."
I'll admit, it surprised me. Never has
been your favorite meaningless phrase.
I was just...
I was looking out at those
strangers' faces and...
They don't want my sincerity.
They don't want to hear
how hard it is for me...
To swallow my pain and my secrets
just to make it through the day.
You know, if I uncork everything
that's going on in my head...
Everyone will end up
just as miserable as I am.
Misery loves company.
I can handle it.
I'm sorry, I just... I
need to be alone right now.
Yeah, I'll hold.
You know, I tried to do you a favor...
Putting your design in my show
and you steal the spotlight?
You know, you make it all about you!
Oh, God, Jaclyn, I didn't
mean to steal anything.
I am so grateful that you included my
design. I mean, I can't thank you enough.
Okay, good. You're still humble.
Now, as you know, I find your
design to be perfectly acceptable...
But the press, of course,
it seems has found it just...
Transcendent.
So, investors love buzz,
and you, for the moment, have
created some for the label.
Well, anything for the label.
It's refreshing to hear you say that.
I want to reward your
loyalty with a promotion...
To junior designer, what do you say?
I... I have to think about it.
You know? I mean, I do have
some other offers on the table.
I need to get a sense
of who values my talents.
Oh, really? Huh!
Who are these other offers?
Don't tell me Georgio, because I
know he is in Ibiza till flag day.
Well, actually, I was
just thinking I deserve
a higher job title than junior designer.
Oh! Um...
Like associate executive...
Junior designer?
- Well, yeah.
- That job title doesn't exist.
So, no, you're out of your element here.
What do you think about my original offer?
I think I want to be a junior designer.
Excellent. I will have the contract
sent over to you by the end of the day.
Lie, as the person whose
existence he denied for years.
Hey!
Well, technically, he
didn't deny your existence.
No one asked him.
I know you've been avoiding me lately...
But I just wanted to show you these
other summer film programs I found.
They're all just as good as Berkeley.
I'm going to Berkeley, and
I'm staying with Uncle George.
April's loaded now. She can pay for it.
It's not about the money,
Brenna, and you know it.
Look, we're all angry right now and
after what you found out about your dad...
I wouldn't blame you for being mad.
I'm not mad.
I swear, I'm not. I'm just...
I don't know...
Confused.
Well, I understand that.
I mean, I really do.
Yeah, like...
I've been reading about
the symptoms of A.L.S.
How did you not notice any of them?
Well, I thought it was alcoholism,
that's what it seemed like...
And that's what he wanted me to believe.
Well...
Maybe you should've been
paying better attention.
I told that man...
That I would be with him
in sickness and in health...
But he never gave me that chance.
He had no problem turning his back on me...
And on this whole family.
But if you need to blame me because
I'm the one who's actually here...
Then I'll wear that target.
Need a little help?
I had it under control, but if you insist.
Okay.
Here we go.
There we go.
How about you do the
navigating while I row.
Teamwork. I like it.
You were married to the guy
the camp's named after, right?
Leo Hendrie. Yeah.
Was he really a billionaire?
More or less.
So... he was like Batman?
Oh! Uh...
I guess there are some ways
he was like Batman, I mean...
He didn't have a utility
belt or anything...
But he was committed to truth,
justice, and the American way.
That's Superman.
How can Superman be American?
He's from another planet.
Batman's a good guy...
But sometimes he's kind of a mean good guy.
Leo wasn't a mean good guy.
He could be frustrating...
And he'd get angry for stupid reasons...
And jealous when he didn't need to be.
He would use sarcasm as a
defense mechanism, all the time.
And he was a slob. Oh, my God.
So he wasn't a hero, then?
He was a man.
He was my man.
I'm sorry.
Sometimes, I only think
about the annoying things...
Because it makes it hurt less...
And I just end up missing the
annoying things as much as the good things.
And then I get angry...
Because every morning, for a few seconds...
I think that life's okay.
Then I remember I'm alone.
You're not alone. I'm here.
Thank you for that.
You are a good conversationalist.
Can't row a boat alone.
Did you see this? Clause 36-H?
Uh, I saw it.
Did I also read it and
process it? Not entirely.
It's one of those extreme ownership...
And exclusivity clauses that
they use in Silicon Valley.
Basically, any design that you create...
While working for Jaclyn
is owned by Jaclyn.
Oh, well, I guess that seems fair, right?
No, but even if you design it for a
friend or yourself, Jaclyn still owns it.
You have metric tons of
creatmty in that mind of yours...
And Jaclyn gets to put her name on
all of it, for the next five years.
No, wait, why do you even care so much?
We've only been dating for a month.
You don't have to read the
fine-print on my paperwork.
If you want me to back off, I will.
But you're so amazing
and you're so talented...
And I don't want you to come home
from work five years from now...
To tell me that Jaclyn
appropriated all your best ideas.
So, you, uh...
You picture us together in five years?
You make me so happy.
More than anyone I've ever met.
I want to be happy five
years from now, too.
Let's tell Jaclyn what the next
five years should look like.
All right.
Girl's got lungs.
Hey! Oh!
And you've got, if I'm
seeing it in the light
correctly, something resembling a smile.
I just needed to be alone...
And then not alone...
Then even less alone.
You don't know this, but my dad he didn't
talk about a lot. He kept a lot of secrets.
No, I do know.
I dated one of them.
I used to think that he
was just doing it for us...
And maybe to some degree
he was, but I think...
I think we would've all been happier
if he'd have just let us into his life.
Like maybe you would've been...
When you were diagnosed?
Maybe.
I can't change what I did back then,
that doesn't mean I have to repeat it.
Leo believed in living
openly and I shouldn't
give up on that just because he's gone.
I don't know what happened to
you in the last few hours, but...
You should bottle it and sell it.
I went boating with a new friend.
It gave me some perspective.
Let me know if you have any leftover.
I could use some for my own life...
Big decision on the house,
uninspired at my job.
I'd love a good life-coaching session.
Well, you know how I feel about the house.
As far as The post goes...
How many shows have you reviewed this year?
I don't know. Probably a hundred.
You want perspective?
Try experiencing it from
the musician's point of view.
I've heard you mess around
on the guitar. You're good.
I... come on, I...
I don't even have my guitar here.
Oh, my God! It's camp!
Somebody has a guitar.
Come on, what have you got to lose?
Every day is supposed
to be an adventure here.
Just don't play free fallin'.
Deal.
Here's a guitar. Thank you.
Hello, everyone.
I don't normally do this,
but a friend convinced me to.
So, this song is for that friend.
♪ Talking like we used to do ♪
♪ it was always me and you ♪
♪ shaping up and shipping out ♪
♪ check me in and check me out ♪
♪ do you like walking in the rain? ♪
♪ When you think of love,
do you think of pain? ♪
♪ You will tell me what you see ♪
♪ but I will choose what I believe ♪
♪ well, hold on, darling ♪
♪ this body is yours, this
body is yours and mine ♪
♪ well, hold on, my darling ♪
♪ this mess was yours,
now your mess is mine ♪
♪ Your mess is mine ♪
We've reached our halfway point!
Continue to donate and Finn Madill
will be back on track in no time!
Okay. This stupid humiliation
game has got to end.
- I'm talking to her.
- No. Please don't.
She's just trying to be nice,
and I really do want that running blade.
Brenna! You want to double
down on your donation?
Listen, Sydney, if you need community
service to get into Middlebury...
Go read your magazines at a nursing home.
Stop turning my friend into a charity case.
Middlebury? What are you
talking about, you psycho?
We all know that you're only
doing this for your college apps.
This is not about my college applications.
So just what? Out of nowhere,
you suddenly care about Finn?
I've known Finn for years.
I've always liked him, okay?
Junior ball's coming up and...
I want to be on his radar.
Wait, you like him?
Like, you like-like him?
Why do you care?
Wait... are you jealous?
Wow.
I mean, it makes sense you'd be into him.
You're probably into me, too.
You're like, bi or something, right?
You bitch!
You've reached Natalie. Learn
how to text or leave me a message.
Hey, Natalie, it's Sara again, um...
I know you're probably getting sick
of seeing my name on your phone...
But there's just a lot at stake here and...
I really want to protect this family.
I don't know what kind of
mother would I be if I didn't?
Um, it seems like April's trial is working.
You know what? You can hate us...
That's fine.
But, at the end of the
day, I'm just hoping that...
We all want the same things here.
Believe it or not, we do love you, Natalie.
Okay. Um...
Natalie?
Wait, she... what?
With Shakespeare?
God, I swear, the pizza guy is
getting more and more aggressive.
What the hell is this?
Uh, those are certain addendums
and alterations I would like made...
Before I sign any dotted lines.
You know this is a classic millennial move.
It's all about entitlement
with your generation, isn't it?
You said the investors crave buzz.
Well, I'm your beehive.
I think you need me more than I need you.
I suppose that perhaps, I could
make a couple of concessions.
Exclusivity and idea ownership?
I guess I can take that
down from five years to two.
And I want a... $500 weekly raise.
$200.
- $400.
- $325, final offer.
Pleasure doing business with you.
Oh, God, look at those lines.
Ha! This is absolutely going
to be a Jaclyn exclusive.
Okay, I will see you in the morning and
now that the weather is a little warmer...
I will need some fresh melon,
but please no honey dew this time.
Do it.
Jaclyn, I can't work for you.
Oh, Beth...
You're just a regular Ashton Kutcher.
I am so thankful for everything
that you've taught me...
But I think you'll always just
see me as an assistant and...
I'm ready to move on and try succeeding
in this business on my own name.
I'm in my 20's...
It's the perfect time to
start blazing my own trail.
Okay. Well, I think you know
not to use me as a reference.
I always wanted to do that.
I'm not going to lie, I'm
surprised to see you again.
I was starting to think you
brushed me off last time.
I did.
But I couldn't stop thinking about the
notes you gave me, and you were right...
Nobody's going to care about my story
if it's all fact and no feeling, so...
I wrote another chapter...
And I think you'll see, it digs
into some pretty personal stuff.
Wow.
This is the kind of writing that
we can waive in front of publishers.
Let's not waste any time.
Can you get me two more chapters by Monday?
That fast?
If you can write this in 48 hours,
I want to see what else you can do.
Also, I want to get your book on the market
quickly, so I can stop
borrowing Valerie's office.
Heard you answered the
age-old question today...
To beat or not to beat?
Even Shakespeare couldn't
describe how lame that was.
I was hoping my lameness
would cheer you up a little.
You got suspended for book-slapping a girl.
What is going on with you?
It's not a big deal.
You're avoiding me and Mom.
You won't talk about what
happened with Dad and George.
Trust me, Bren, it feels
so much better to talk.
Let's talk about Dad right now.
I know we're not who you
want to talk to about Dad...
But we're the only ones you can talk to.
There's nothing to say.
I get it.
When you're ready to
talk, we won't judge...
And we won't try to give advice.
We'll just listen.
You didn't know him...
Not like I did...
Not at the end.
He taught me how to play cribbage...
And I finally beat him...
Right before he left for the last time.
And we'd go get frozen yogurt.
He would always put...
A single gummy bear at
the bottom of my bowl.
I'm glad the two of you
had that time together.
And you were away at college.
And you and him had your issues, but...
I was there.
I was right there, and I
thought that we were close.
Why didn't he tell me that he was dying?
And why couldn't he tell me?
I don't know.
I wish I did.
I think I know.
He wanted his suffering to be his.
His alone.
And it was selfish...
And it was misguided...
But in his own way, it was...
An act of love.
Like everyone...
Your father was a mess of contradictions.
I think we forget that about
people once they're gone.
Everything I love gets
taken away from me...
And it all started with him.
I just want there to be
something in my life...
That I can hold on to.
That's what we are.
Brenna, we are here for you.
We are always going to listen to you...
And we're always going
to tell you the truth.
Promise.
And the kids were amazing.
I won't hit an open mic anytime soon...
But I think it really helped
shake me out of my funk.
I owe her one.
April does exude a sense
of monk-like wisdom. Cheers.
What's her take on your pile o' rubble?
She says rebuild. What do you say?
Cut your losses and move on.
But I say that about everything.
If something's failed, light
it on fire and watch it burn...
In your rear-view mirror as you
drive your way to successtown.
Ah! Maybe you're right.
But I'm also not ready
to give up on this place.
It was the future I wanted to build.
I don't think mother
nature felt the same way.
I really cared about it. I still do...
And I believe it could
be something special.
But you know, the house has
also been through so much...
And sometimes that feels
like a sign to give up.
Maybe it's not a sign to give up.
Maybe it's a sign to fight for what I want.
Because moving on with regrets
isn't really moving on at all.
Oh, wow.
You think you're talking about a house, but
you're totally talking
about April, aren't you?
Huh?
You're still in love
with her! Dude, I knew it!
Or at least I heavily suspected it!
Please don't say anything, okay?
Damn. You've been nursing
that broken heart for a while.
All right.
Do you want some advice from a pro?
Do you still want those
free Kendrick tickets?
I'mma shut up now.
Well, if you need any help with the
derivatives, feel free to call me.
Thanks.
I probably will.
How's Sydney doing?
Well, after your little publicity stunt...
Got a lot of people talking
about the raffle, so...
She's feeling pretty good actually.
She raised all the money?
Yeah.
This summer I'll be a
certified blade runner.
Well, that's amazing.
And you're okay with, you know...
All that charity?
If I have to choose between ego and
running again, it's not a hard choice.
And thank you, by the way...
For your unorthodox marketing style.
I will dedicate my victory lap to
your creative use of Shakespeare.
Sorry, I got so territorial.
But, um...
Like you said...
I didn't want to share my pet project.
I, um, left a little evidence.
Cool, it's proof cancer
hasn't killed my game.
Hello.
Hey, hey.
It's Natalie.
What? Can I talk to her? Please. Please.
Hey, Natalie, April's
here. She just wants to...
Okay. Just one second.
Natalie, hi! Where are you?
I'm home. In Florida...
Where I clearly belong.
I'm happy to hear you're okay.
We were worried about you.
Worried that I was spilling
Carver secrets to the cops?
You can put your paranoia to
rest. I won't say anything.
I knew you wouldn't.
And look, I know things
are complicated, but...
You're my sister and I care about you.
Right.
Well, I'm sorry I've been out of touch...
But I needed a break
from all things Carver.
And if your clinical trial
works, I'll be there for you.
But right now... All I want is space.
Well, I'm relieved she's safe.
Yeah. Me, too.
I'm also relieved that she
mailed in her final rent check.
- Final?
- Yeah.
She said she's out of town indefinitely,
so I should just find a new roommate.
I mean, you've either
been complaining about
your house or avoiding it altogether,
so...
I know it's only because
Natalie ran away...
But is the dream of a Beth-April
apartment actually happening right now?
- It is.
- Oh my God!
And it's going to be amazing.
I'm gonna go find us some champagne.
Okay. Okay. I'm gonna put
my stuff in... my room.
Okay. Do it, woman.
I knew you shouldn't have stayed in Boston.
They've always treated us
like second-class citizens.
I guess I had to learn the hard way.
Well, at least you got the truth out of it.
And I've never really trusted George.
None of it would have even come up if
he hadn't destroyed a manuscript I found.
What manuscript?
Some spy novel Dad was working on.
I only found the first part, though.
Oh, yeah, I know that book.
I've got a copy of the
whole thing back at home.
It's an interesting story.
And that camp for kids with
terminal illnesses is beautiful.
Did he tell you, it might become a chain?
- No!
- Well, that's a longer term plan.
- Where's the book, George?
- I got rid of it.
Thomas did want to end his
life, 'cause he was sick...
And he wanted all of you
to be taken care of...
And all he needed was my help.
You helped him kill himself?
George, what you did was basically murder.
April, Natalie's gone.
I can't believe a tree
came through this window...
And I didn't even catch it on camera.
Um, that's what you don't
believe from the other night?
Not Dad hiding a secret
disease for 14 months?
Not a secret from everyone. George knew.
You guys, Dad was really
good at keeping secrets.
We shouldn't be so surprised that
there's so many of them, okay?
Right. Well, I hope Natalie's
really good at keeping secrets, too.
Neither of you have heard from her?
No. She hasn't called
or texted me back, but...
I mean, come on, she's not gonna
like, go tell the cops or anything.
Well, she's been quiet
on the social media front.
Is a Natalie who hasn't instagrammed
in four days a Natalie we can trust?
Whatever.
I'm going to go video chat with
grandma, if her webcam is finally setup.
Hello! Hey!
I had to pick up pastries
for Jaclyn's morning meeting.
I'm giving the Carvers first dibs.
Also, it's a bribe. I need
to borrow your necklace...
You know, the one with the teardrop pearl.
We needed a couple c.c.'S of
sugar, and the necklace is yours.
Perfect. I would've borrowed
Natalie's ruby pendant,
but she took that with her
when she went gone baby gone.
You haven't heard anything
from her, have you?
No. But her note said that she
needed some distance from Boston.
You guys don't know what
got her so riled up, do you?
Hmm?
- No.
- No idea.
But you know Natalie.
Well, yeah, she's no
stranger to drama, but...
To skip town and right
before our rent is due...
I'm sure there's a good explanation.
Oh! Hey, your window's fixed.
Now I can go back to checking my reflection
while the rest of you are talking.
We should be happy our
house got off so easy.
Did you hear what happened to Dominic?
No. Is his house okay?
And upstairs, part of the
roof caved in under the weight.
I can't salvage any of it.
Oh, my God, Dom, I'm so sorry.
Are you gonna put the insurance
money back into the house?
I'm still figuring that out.
Well, I'm no contractor,
but I think it still shows promise.
And you know, I read somewhere
actually that walls are overrated.
I think that was Outside magazine.
Well, it's your call...
But this place obviously means
something to you and it just...
Doesn't seem right to give up on it.
- How are you doing?
- Hmm?
The last time I saw
you, you were a little...
Off.
Well, clearly...
Grief manifests itself
in unpredictable ways.
I think we've put studio-54
April to bed, so to speak.
Which April do we get next?
I think writer April.
I've written two more chapters
and a 22-page book proposal...
Single-spaced and...
Drum roll, please.
I've been sending it out to lit agents.
- I've already got one meeting.
- Nice.
I like writer April.
Can we keep her?
Only if someone helps her get published.
Dear literary agent...
A secret family, marriage...
Widowhood, a battle with cancer.
My story is one of...
Life-shaking events told
through a highly-personal lens.
Feel good hit of the year.
Oh, Ruthie, hi!
Come in. How are you?
Good.
Oh, um, yeah, I'm just
waving a syringe around.
Be careful with that stuff.
They'll take away your tour de France wins.
It's for a new clinical trial. Just...
Gotten way too comfortable
using it around the house.
It's totally fine.
I'm here about one of Leo's projects.
The camp he was building.
Is everything okay with it?
Yeah, it's totally fine, actually...
We're having a preview event
in a couple of days and...
We all thought if you want to
and there is no pressure, but...
Maybe you'd like to cut the ribbon
at the grand opening ceremony...
And say a little something about Leo?
- I'd love to.
- You would?
That's so great to hear.
It's bizarre.
Your life essentially stops,
but everyone else's keeps going.
Listen, I am thrilled I am in remission...
And I could not be more grateful,
but it also feels like...
My cancer tied a rope around my waist...
And can yank me back whenever it wants to.
I see a lot of people nodding.
I totally get it.
You never really feel in the clear.
As I got better, my mother got worse.
Non-Hodgkin's. I was told I was in
remission the day after her funeral.
So how does that loss affect
you in a day-to-day way?
Uh, well...
I started back up at work this week.
Super-cool graphic design firm. I love it.
But then someone will ask
how I'm doing and I wonder...
"How much truth do you really want?
"Do you want to hear about my dead mother
and my deep fears of getting sick again?"
Or do I just say, "it's all good, bro"?
I bet I can guess which
one has worked best.
Yeah, no kidding.
But it also feels gross,
you know? Dishonest.
People don't want to hear the truth
though, even if they say they do.
Well, April, exactly
what do you mean when you
say "people don't want to hear the truth"?
I don't know, I just...
I feel like sometimes
ignorance really can be bliss.
Wait, so you haven't read any of it?
I got caught up in family stuff.
What happened?
Um, just fill me in on the story.
Okay. Hamlet's uncle kills his
dad and gets with his mom...
So Hamlet whines for a little while.
It's basically the lion king without
Elton John and a happy ending.
Ow! That sounds totally insane.
I think that Hamlet should change his
name and get the hell out of Denmark.
Shakespeare provokes strong feelings.
Brenna...
I know that you definitely
want to buy a raffle ticket.
- $5.
- Thanks,
but raffle tickets aren't
on my vision board right now.
But don't you want to help Finn?
I'm raffling off my dad's
court-side Celtics tickets...
To get him one of those cool blades
like that inspirational runner.
I.e., the guy who murdered his girlfriend?
He was only convicted on the lesser charge.
So do you want to buy a ticket
to get Finn "back on track"?
I made that up.
Cute.
When were you gonna tell me?
Never, maybe?
I don't know. I don't love it.
Feels like Sydney's telling
everyone to take pity on me.
Wearing the mask again doesn't really help.
You know, she's only doing this
for her college applications.
Aw, I was your little pet project
and now you have to share me.
I ran with William today...
And the only thing I could think
to talk about was energy bars.
Well, I pumped Beth for clues about
Natalie and couldn't tell her why.
Did you get anything from her?
Oh, she got in touch with
Natalie's boss at the Charles...
And he said that she put her notice in
via email the morning after the blizzard.
Did he know where she was going?
No.
Hey, stop acting like
Natalie's trying to destroy us.
I mean, she's probably
just blowing off some steam.
And there's a lot of steam, I'm sure,
but if she talks to the wrong person...
She could do a lot of harm to this family.
And with April's trial going well...
There's still a part of me that
needs to know where her donor is.
Even if I get to that step,
there's still plenty of time.
And...
You know, it wasn't easy for
us to hear what happened...
And I'm sure it was
even harder for Natalie.
She was in Florida and had no
idea George did what he did.
It was a messed up situation
and George did the best he could.
I'm not sure it's that easy.
Well, if you have issues with him, fine.
Just don't let it interfere
with my summer plans.
Brenna, I can't let you stay with
George. I would assume you'd know that.
Of course.
Something goes wrong in the Carver
family, so let's make Brenna suffer.
Why break the pattern now?
I don't know what to do.
Honestly, I wish Brenna
had not heard any of this.
She'll talk when she's ready.
Or...
Maybe she won't talk
at all, like her father.
Dad knew what he was doing.
Sometimes when there's
real pain, it's just...
Better to keep people at a distance.
April, I hate that. I hate
hearing you accept what he did.
What other choice do I have?
When you were first diagnosed...
You kept it to yourself
for as long as you could.
And now you're closing yourself
off again. I saw it today.
We don't talk about therapy at home.
That was our agreement.
I can't let you deal with this fear alone.
Well, the fear is mine, Mom.
The pain is mine!
I'm trying to help you.
Well, I'm sorry, but you can't.
Oh, my God!
Hey!
Why does my best friend sound
like a Mariah Carey chorus?
Normally I find her quirks
adorable, but this one's testing me.
- I have this for you, too.
- Whoa. Okay, thank you. Hi.
"Though many pieces felt
like tired re-treads,
this chic piece of vintage throwback...
"Proves that Jaclyn is still not
only an artist, but an iconoclast."
But it's me! I'm an iconoclast!
A few weeks ago, Jaclyn
said I could put one
design in her show since
it had 42 outfits...
And no one would ever
notice, but they noticed!
They more than noticed, babe.
They highlighted. They singled out.
My God! I am so damn proud of you.
Oh, you just got an email from Jaclyn.
All it says is, "let's meet tomorrow
to discuss your future at the company."
Oh, God. What if she saw that article?
What if she's angry and jealous
and her blood sugar's low?
Or far more likely, she saw the
write-up and wants to promote you.
Yeah, Beth, I think you're about
to become a professional designer.
Take that, project
runway rejection letters.
Okay, look, just because she offers you
something doesn't mean you have to take it.
Your design got the rave
reviews. You have the leverage.
Right, she might just see you as an
assistant who's grateful for any offer.
Exactly. It couldn't hurt to make her
think that she's not your only option.
What do you mean, like, lie?
It's not lying. It's negotiating.
Speaking of, I've got to go convince a lit
agent to sign me, and
I'm going to use you...
As inspiration.
- Good luck, honey.
- Bye.
Negotiating's easy, babe.
It's like on that episode of Shark
tank that we watched last week.
Yeah, we made out during that.
Right.
Thomas Carver's daughter. This is exciting.
And you've inherited his talents.
I was really grabbed by your story.
And before we dig in, I want to hear
what your goals are for this book.
There are times during cancer and widowhood
where you just feel so lost and I...
I really just hope my book can help
people in similar circumstances...
Know they're not alone.
Exactly what I'd hope you'd say.
And for the millions that haven't
gone through what you have...
This could generate some real
understanding and empathy.
- Should we discuss my notes?
- Hmm?
I'd love to hear your... notes.
I'm worried about the second chapter.
The one about losing Leo.
I feel like your reporter voice is
over-shadowing your memoirist voice.
I think you can dig deeper,
and get more personal.
It is personal.
Not personal enough.
The reader needs to get under
your skin, inside of your head.
I want to understand your pain, guilt,
and anger in a first-person perspective.
Think Joan Didion, Mary
Karr, or Cheryl Strayed.
Whose office is this?
Well, Valerie lets me borrow her office...
Because, technically,
I'm still an assistant.
But the partners like me, and they said
that if I sign a client and prove myself...
I'll move right up the ranks.
So you're not an actual agent?
Any day now, and I really
would like to work with you.
I feel like we can learn
a lot from each other.
Well, I'm still meeting
with other people...
But this has been great,
and I'll be in touch.
Look forward to hearing from you.
It's only your first
meeting, you'll get others...
They'll be with real agents.
No one else has even gotten back to me yet.
It's 22 pages, single space.
Give people time to read it.
Not really big on patience these days.
But, I am big on gifts.
I saw this on my way over...
And it seemed like good incentive
not to give up on the house.
Wow! It's so official.
So adult.
Well, I figured since the
inside doesn't look great...
At least the outside could be super-classy.
- April.
- Danny.
- Nice knocker.
- Wow.
I needed someone to help me tear
down a moldy drywall at the house.
So he called in the big guns.
Hmm. Small-to-medium sized guns.
We were thinking about hitting up
trma night at the Charles tomorrow.
You should come... If
you're still allowed inside.
Actually, I'll be in the Berkshires.
I'm cutting the ribbon at Leo's camp.
That's opening already?
It's preview day.
Show prospective campers and
their parents what they're in for.
Hey, why don't I volunteer
write about it for The post?
It would be a story that
actually inspires people...
Unlike all the other
assignments I've gotten lately.
You're sick of writing concert reviews?
Raquel keeps making me check
out bands with tumblr appeal.
They're all starting to blend together.
I mean, the more we can get word
out about the camp, the better.
- Guess it makes sense to carpool?
- Yeah.
Pick you up around 8:00 A.M.?
I'll see you then.
Later, Gupta.
So you're gonna ditch
trivia night for a fun,
innocent day trip with
your ex-girlfriend...
to her dead husband's camp for sick kids.
That should be a totally normal experience.
Leo was very insistent there
be a zip line. So we have three.
The man liked his heights and speeds.
Per his instructions, we also recreated
the aggro crag on the east side of camp...
Although we had to disable
the glitter explosions.
Environmental harm?
You're still good to say something?
It doesn't have to be anything long...
Just something from the heart about Leo.
Of course, no problem.
Hey, if you're not ready
to speak, you don't have to.
- Everyone would understand.
- It's no big deal.
Everyone, please welcome April Carver.
Thank you all for coming here today.
Leo wanted this camp to
be something special...
And I think, if you look around
you'll see his wish came true.
He believed in adventure, and I
hope you all have a lot of them here.
If you only know one
thing about Leo, it's...
It's...
I just want people to know that Leo...
Was a really good guy.
Thanks.
Camp's open!
Miss Carver, do you have an
official statement on the mess hall?
I thought the neutropenic
sundae bar was a nice touch.
How are you doing?
Being here in the land that Leo built?
I can't believe I just said
he was a "really good guy."
I'll admit, it surprised me. Never has
been your favorite meaningless phrase.
I was just...
I was looking out at those
strangers' faces and...
They don't want my sincerity.
They don't want to hear
how hard it is for me...
To swallow my pain and my secrets
just to make it through the day.
You know, if I uncork everything
that's going on in my head...
Everyone will end up
just as miserable as I am.
Misery loves company.
I can handle it.
I'm sorry, I just... I
need to be alone right now.
Yeah, I'll hold.
You know, I tried to do you a favor...
Putting your design in my show
and you steal the spotlight?
You know, you make it all about you!
Oh, God, Jaclyn, I didn't
mean to steal anything.
I am so grateful that you included my
design. I mean, I can't thank you enough.
Okay, good. You're still humble.
Now, as you know, I find your
design to be perfectly acceptable...
But the press, of course,
it seems has found it just...
Transcendent.
So, investors love buzz,
and you, for the moment, have
created some for the label.
Well, anything for the label.
It's refreshing to hear you say that.
I want to reward your
loyalty with a promotion...
To junior designer, what do you say?
I... I have to think about it.
You know? I mean, I do have
some other offers on the table.
I need to get a sense
of who values my talents.
Oh, really? Huh!
Who are these other offers?
Don't tell me Georgio, because I
know he is in Ibiza till flag day.
Well, actually, I was
just thinking I deserve
a higher job title than junior designer.
Oh! Um...
Like associate executive...
Junior designer?
- Well, yeah.
- That job title doesn't exist.
So, no, you're out of your element here.
What do you think about my original offer?
I think I want to be a junior designer.
Excellent. I will have the contract
sent over to you by the end of the day.
Lie, as the person whose
existence he denied for years.
Hey!
Well, technically, he
didn't deny your existence.
No one asked him.
I know you've been avoiding me lately...
But I just wanted to show you these
other summer film programs I found.
They're all just as good as Berkeley.
I'm going to Berkeley, and
I'm staying with Uncle George.
April's loaded now. She can pay for it.
It's not about the money,
Brenna, and you know it.
Look, we're all angry right now and
after what you found out about your dad...
I wouldn't blame you for being mad.
I'm not mad.
I swear, I'm not. I'm just...
I don't know...
Confused.
Well, I understand that.
I mean, I really do.
Yeah, like...
I've been reading about
the symptoms of A.L.S.
How did you not notice any of them?
Well, I thought it was alcoholism,
that's what it seemed like...
And that's what he wanted me to believe.
Well...
Maybe you should've been
paying better attention.
I told that man...
That I would be with him
in sickness and in health...
But he never gave me that chance.
He had no problem turning his back on me...
And on this whole family.
But if you need to blame me because
I'm the one who's actually here...
Then I'll wear that target.
Need a little help?
I had it under control, but if you insist.
Okay.
Here we go.
There we go.
How about you do the
navigating while I row.
Teamwork. I like it.
You were married to the guy
the camp's named after, right?
Leo Hendrie. Yeah.
Was he really a billionaire?
More or less.
So... he was like Batman?
Oh! Uh...
I guess there are some ways
he was like Batman, I mean...
He didn't have a utility
belt or anything...
But he was committed to truth,
justice, and the American way.
That's Superman.
How can Superman be American?
He's from another planet.
Batman's a good guy...
But sometimes he's kind of a mean good guy.
Leo wasn't a mean good guy.
He could be frustrating...
And he'd get angry for stupid reasons...
And jealous when he didn't need to be.
He would use sarcasm as a
defense mechanism, all the time.
And he was a slob. Oh, my God.
So he wasn't a hero, then?
He was a man.
He was my man.
I'm sorry.
Sometimes, I only think
about the annoying things...
Because it makes it hurt less...
And I just end up missing the
annoying things as much as the good things.
And then I get angry...
Because every morning, for a few seconds...
I think that life's okay.
Then I remember I'm alone.
You're not alone. I'm here.
Thank you for that.
You are a good conversationalist.
Can't row a boat alone.
Did you see this? Clause 36-H?
Uh, I saw it.
Did I also read it and
process it? Not entirely.
It's one of those extreme ownership...
And exclusivity clauses that
they use in Silicon Valley.
Basically, any design that you create...
While working for Jaclyn
is owned by Jaclyn.
Oh, well, I guess that seems fair, right?
No, but even if you design it for a
friend or yourself, Jaclyn still owns it.
You have metric tons of
creatmty in that mind of yours...
And Jaclyn gets to put her name on
all of it, for the next five years.
No, wait, why do you even care so much?
We've only been dating for a month.
You don't have to read the
fine-print on my paperwork.
If you want me to back off, I will.
But you're so amazing
and you're so talented...
And I don't want you to come home
from work five years from now...
To tell me that Jaclyn
appropriated all your best ideas.
So, you, uh...
You picture us together in five years?
You make me so happy.
More than anyone I've ever met.
I want to be happy five
years from now, too.
Let's tell Jaclyn what the next
five years should look like.
All right.
Girl's got lungs.
Hey! Oh!
And you've got, if I'm
seeing it in the light
correctly, something resembling a smile.
I just needed to be alone...
And then not alone...
Then even less alone.
You don't know this, but my dad he didn't
talk about a lot. He kept a lot of secrets.
No, I do know.
I dated one of them.
I used to think that he
was just doing it for us...
And maybe to some degree
he was, but I think...
I think we would've all been happier
if he'd have just let us into his life.
Like maybe you would've been...
When you were diagnosed?
Maybe.
I can't change what I did back then,
that doesn't mean I have to repeat it.
Leo believed in living
openly and I shouldn't
give up on that just because he's gone.
I don't know what happened to
you in the last few hours, but...
You should bottle it and sell it.
I went boating with a new friend.
It gave me some perspective.
Let me know if you have any leftover.
I could use some for my own life...
Big decision on the house,
uninspired at my job.
I'd love a good life-coaching session.
Well, you know how I feel about the house.
As far as The post goes...
How many shows have you reviewed this year?
I don't know. Probably a hundred.
You want perspective?
Try experiencing it from
the musician's point of view.
I've heard you mess around
on the guitar. You're good.
I... come on, I...
I don't even have my guitar here.
Oh, my God! It's camp!
Somebody has a guitar.
Come on, what have you got to lose?
Every day is supposed
to be an adventure here.
Just don't play free fallin'.
Deal.
Here's a guitar. Thank you.
Hello, everyone.
I don't normally do this,
but a friend convinced me to.
So, this song is for that friend.
♪ Talking like we used to do ♪
♪ it was always me and you ♪
♪ shaping up and shipping out ♪
♪ check me in and check me out ♪
♪ do you like walking in the rain? ♪
♪ When you think of love,
do you think of pain? ♪
♪ You will tell me what you see ♪
♪ but I will choose what I believe ♪
♪ well, hold on, darling ♪
♪ this body is yours, this
body is yours and mine ♪
♪ well, hold on, my darling ♪
♪ this mess was yours,
now your mess is mine ♪
♪ Your mess is mine ♪
We've reached our halfway point!
Continue to donate and Finn Madill
will be back on track in no time!
Okay. This stupid humiliation
game has got to end.
- I'm talking to her.
- No. Please don't.
She's just trying to be nice,
and I really do want that running blade.
Brenna! You want to double
down on your donation?
Listen, Sydney, if you need community
service to get into Middlebury...
Go read your magazines at a nursing home.
Stop turning my friend into a charity case.
Middlebury? What are you
talking about, you psycho?
We all know that you're only
doing this for your college apps.
This is not about my college applications.
So just what? Out of nowhere,
you suddenly care about Finn?
I've known Finn for years.
I've always liked him, okay?
Junior ball's coming up and...
I want to be on his radar.
Wait, you like him?
Like, you like-like him?
Why do you care?
Wait... are you jealous?
Wow.
I mean, it makes sense you'd be into him.
You're probably into me, too.
You're like, bi or something, right?
You bitch!
You've reached Natalie. Learn
how to text or leave me a message.
Hey, Natalie, it's Sara again, um...
I know you're probably getting sick
of seeing my name on your phone...
But there's just a lot at stake here and...
I really want to protect this family.
I don't know what kind of
mother would I be if I didn't?
Um, it seems like April's trial is working.
You know what? You can hate us...
That's fine.
But, at the end of the
day, I'm just hoping that...
We all want the same things here.
Believe it or not, we do love you, Natalie.
Okay. Um...
Natalie?
Wait, she... what?
With Shakespeare?
God, I swear, the pizza guy is
getting more and more aggressive.
What the hell is this?
Uh, those are certain addendums
and alterations I would like made...
Before I sign any dotted lines.
You know this is a classic millennial move.
It's all about entitlement
with your generation, isn't it?
You said the investors crave buzz.
Well, I'm your beehive.
I think you need me more than I need you.
I suppose that perhaps, I could
make a couple of concessions.
Exclusivity and idea ownership?
I guess I can take that
down from five years to two.
And I want a... $500 weekly raise.
$200.
- $400.
- $325, final offer.
Pleasure doing business with you.
Oh, God, look at those lines.
Ha! This is absolutely going
to be a Jaclyn exclusive.
Okay, I will see you in the morning and
now that the weather is a little warmer...
I will need some fresh melon,
but please no honey dew this time.
Do it.
Jaclyn, I can't work for you.
Oh, Beth...
You're just a regular Ashton Kutcher.
I am so thankful for everything
that you've taught me...
But I think you'll always just
see me as an assistant and...
I'm ready to move on and try succeeding
in this business on my own name.
I'm in my 20's...
It's the perfect time to
start blazing my own trail.
Okay. Well, I think you know
not to use me as a reference.
I always wanted to do that.
I'm not going to lie, I'm
surprised to see you again.
I was starting to think you
brushed me off last time.
I did.
But I couldn't stop thinking about the
notes you gave me, and you were right...
Nobody's going to care about my story
if it's all fact and no feeling, so...
I wrote another chapter...
And I think you'll see, it digs
into some pretty personal stuff.
Wow.
This is the kind of writing that
we can waive in front of publishers.
Let's not waste any time.
Can you get me two more chapters by Monday?
That fast?
If you can write this in 48 hours,
I want to see what else you can do.
Also, I want to get your book on the market
quickly, so I can stop
borrowing Valerie's office.
Heard you answered the
age-old question today...
To beat or not to beat?
Even Shakespeare couldn't
describe how lame that was.
I was hoping my lameness
would cheer you up a little.
You got suspended for book-slapping a girl.
What is going on with you?
It's not a big deal.
You're avoiding me and Mom.
You won't talk about what
happened with Dad and George.
Trust me, Bren, it feels
so much better to talk.
Let's talk about Dad right now.
I know we're not who you
want to talk to about Dad...
But we're the only ones you can talk to.
There's nothing to say.
I get it.
When you're ready to
talk, we won't judge...
And we won't try to give advice.
We'll just listen.
You didn't know him...
Not like I did...
Not at the end.
He taught me how to play cribbage...
And I finally beat him...
Right before he left for the last time.
And we'd go get frozen yogurt.
He would always put...
A single gummy bear at
the bottom of my bowl.
I'm glad the two of you
had that time together.
And you were away at college.
And you and him had your issues, but...
I was there.
I was right there, and I
thought that we were close.
Why didn't he tell me that he was dying?
And why couldn't he tell me?
I don't know.
I wish I did.
I think I know.
He wanted his suffering to be his.
His alone.
And it was selfish...
And it was misguided...
But in his own way, it was...
An act of love.
Like everyone...
Your father was a mess of contradictions.
I think we forget that about
people once they're gone.
Everything I love gets
taken away from me...
And it all started with him.
I just want there to be
something in my life...
That I can hold on to.
That's what we are.
Brenna, we are here for you.
We are always going to listen to you...
And we're always going
to tell you the truth.
Promise.
And the kids were amazing.
I won't hit an open mic anytime soon...
But I think it really helped
shake me out of my funk.
I owe her one.
April does exude a sense
of monk-like wisdom. Cheers.
What's her take on your pile o' rubble?
She says rebuild. What do you say?
Cut your losses and move on.
But I say that about everything.
If something's failed, light
it on fire and watch it burn...
In your rear-view mirror as you
drive your way to successtown.
Ah! Maybe you're right.
But I'm also not ready
to give up on this place.
It was the future I wanted to build.
I don't think mother
nature felt the same way.
I really cared about it. I still do...
And I believe it could
be something special.
But you know, the house has
also been through so much...
And sometimes that feels
like a sign to give up.
Maybe it's not a sign to give up.
Maybe it's a sign to fight for what I want.
Because moving on with regrets
isn't really moving on at all.
Oh, wow.
You think you're talking about a house, but
you're totally talking
about April, aren't you?
Huh?
You're still in love
with her! Dude, I knew it!
Or at least I heavily suspected it!
Please don't say anything, okay?
Damn. You've been nursing
that broken heart for a while.
All right.
Do you want some advice from a pro?
Do you still want those
free Kendrick tickets?
I'mma shut up now.
Well, if you need any help with the
derivatives, feel free to call me.
Thanks.
I probably will.
How's Sydney doing?
Well, after your little publicity stunt...
Got a lot of people talking
about the raffle, so...
She's feeling pretty good actually.
She raised all the money?
Yeah.
This summer I'll be a
certified blade runner.
Well, that's amazing.
And you're okay with, you know...
All that charity?
If I have to choose between ego and
running again, it's not a hard choice.
And thank you, by the way...
For your unorthodox marketing style.
I will dedicate my victory lap to
your creative use of Shakespeare.
Sorry, I got so territorial.
But, um...
Like you said...
I didn't want to share my pet project.
I, um, left a little evidence.
Cool, it's proof cancer
hasn't killed my game.
Hello.
Hey, hey.
It's Natalie.
What? Can I talk to her? Please. Please.
Hey, Natalie, April's
here. She just wants to...
Okay. Just one second.
Natalie, hi! Where are you?
I'm home. In Florida...
Where I clearly belong.
I'm happy to hear you're okay.
We were worried about you.
Worried that I was spilling
Carver secrets to the cops?
You can put your paranoia to
rest. I won't say anything.
I knew you wouldn't.
And look, I know things
are complicated, but...
You're my sister and I care about you.
Right.
Well, I'm sorry I've been out of touch...
But I needed a break
from all things Carver.
And if your clinical trial
works, I'll be there for you.
But right now... All I want is space.
Well, I'm relieved she's safe.
Yeah. Me, too.
I'm also relieved that she
mailed in her final rent check.
- Final?
- Yeah.
She said she's out of town indefinitely,
so I should just find a new roommate.
I mean, you've either
been complaining about
your house or avoiding it altogether,
so...
I know it's only because
Natalie ran away...
But is the dream of a Beth-April
apartment actually happening right now?
- It is.
- Oh my God!
And it's going to be amazing.
I'm gonna go find us some champagne.
Okay. Okay. I'm gonna put
my stuff in... my room.
Okay. Do it, woman.
I knew you shouldn't have stayed in Boston.
They've always treated us
like second-class citizens.
I guess I had to learn the hard way.
Well, at least you got the truth out of it.
And I've never really trusted George.
None of it would have even come up if
he hadn't destroyed a manuscript I found.
What manuscript?
Some spy novel Dad was working on.
I only found the first part, though.
Oh, yeah, I know that book.
I've got a copy of the
whole thing back at home.
It's an interesting story.